The sowing of wheat has begun in the district to cover a target area of 792,000 acres but the actual cultivated area is likely to surpass the target. District Officer Agriculture Javed Iqbal expressed these views while talking to newsmen here on Thursday.
He said that last year wheat was cultivated on an area of 814,000 acres whereas the target was 797,000 acres. "This year again it is excepted that the wheat will be cultivated on more than the target area", he added.
He recollected with appreciation that last year a record yield of wheat was achieved in the district, saying that the incentive given by the government in the form of increased support price of wheat was also a key factor that motivated the farmers to grow more wheat.
The official urged the farmers to complete the cultivation as early as possible to get extra high yield and use phosphorous fertilisers to prepare the land for cultivation. He was of the opinion that farmers should use seeds of registered companies, including Punjab Seed Corporation and some others recommended by the agriculture department.